Januari 2007
In het International Radio Report onder andere nieuws over Phil Mitchel, een bijdrage van Larry Tremaine en herinneringen van Bob Lawrence en Tom Mulder. Verder in het Report het einde van de Mebo II en de Mebo I en de rechstzaken tegen Radio Caroline DJ's Samantha Dubois en Johnny Jason. En Andy Archer's herinneringen aan Johnny Jason. Lees nu het volledige International Radio Report op MediaPages.INTERNATIONAL RADIO REPORT - JANUARY 2007
By: Hans Knot
Welcome to the January 2007 edition of the Knot International Report and thank you for all the e-mails and Christmas and New Years wishes we got. They once again came from all over the world and among the hundreds of wishes the names were included from: Ron Heijermans, Alan Bailey (Radio Luxembourg), Clive Manning, Roger Twiggy Day (SRE and Caroline), Richard van Dorp, Tom Collins (Veronica), Tony Christian (Caroline), Steven Cannon, Harm ten Brink, Trevor Welham, John in Norwich, Mike Hayes (Radio 270), Emperor Rosko (Caroline and many, many more), Sietse Brouwer (Caroline Satellite and Radio Waddenzee). Stewart Ross, Oeds Jan Koster, Ron and Sarah O’Quinn (SRE), Martin van der Ven and his happy family, Jaap Duijn, John Allan, Jorg van Beem (Veronica) , Dave Windsor (Caroline and BFBS written in wonderful Dutch), Frank Leonhardt (FRC Germany), Herbert Visser (Radio Monique and 100%NL), Raymond Urquahart from Guernsey, Ad Roberts (too many radio stations), Radio Rainbowteam, Mark Dezanni (Caroline Satellite) , Elja van den Berg (Caroline), Harald Urbig, Bernard and Becky Robinson, Eduard van Loon (Caroline Club Holland), John de Blok, Aart Veldman, Graham Jones, Alfons Gelens Benidorm and an avid Radio Luxembourg Lover, Fergus Penman (Richard Jackson) Thailand (Caroline), Peter Zwirs, Paul van onzen (the man who visited all radio days through the years), Brian Keith, Stuart Dobson (Caroline), Mary and Chris Payne (Keep on Big L!), Meindert Dikboom American Radio Lover number one, Melvyn Brown, Rob Olthof and cat Moortje, Ron C Jones from Toronto, Eric van der Velde, Harry Alfrink, P. Blom, Chris Cortez from Cambridge, Werner Schneider from Schönebeck, Jan Fré Vos, Hans Spijkerman aka Humberto Spikerero, Fred and Gerda Bolland (Radio Monique) Göran Lundemark in Sweden, Johnny Jason, Andy Archer, Peter Zwarthoed, Radio Dynamite, Ian Smith. Peter Messingfeld, Mike Guy, Rob Veld, Andy Archer, Johnny Lewis, Colin Nichol from Australia, Theo van der Velde, Ben Meyering, Andrew Emmerson, Jean Pierre Berckmans, Radio Pros, Ted and Agatha Bouwens in France, Sander Lindenburg with the most interesting wishes this year, Secco Vermaat from early Mi Amigo days, Johan Kuiper, Luuk Boeder, Don Stevens (the luckiest daddy and granddaddy from 2006, Ian Bigger. Wilfried de Jong from Caroline Roadshow 1979/1980, Bonnie Heller, Bull Verwey (former owner Radio Veronica), Harrie and José Limpens, Graeme ‘I love AFN’ Stevenson. Fred Klissenaar, Douwe Dijkstra and companions, Ton and Tanja Zeevenhoven, Eli Holenberg, Geoffry Baldwin, Martin van Weerden, Jan Hendrik Kruidenier, Rob Bosman Jansen, Jan van Heeren, Evert Stolman, Martiniomroep Groningen Truus van Dalen, Jan Hariot Mi Amigo 192, Andréa de Caluwé, Rene Burcksen, Rick Randell, Robbie and Stella Robinson (Robbie Dale), Steve Marshall (VOP), Frans and Hardo Schuurbiers (Baffle, VVVR) Burkhard Nowotny (former Deutsche Welle), Robert Briel (former Veronica) Robert Preedy, Gerard Smit in Surinam (Dutch service RNI), Fred Glissenaar, Carl and Sigrid Landmann on Nordeich, Cor Boele, Hil Favre, Peter and Anne-Miek van den Berg chairman Big L Foundation since decades, Marinebroadcaster Paul (and Marian) de Haan, Manfred Steinkraus Sound Studio Sylt and his Claudia. Wim ‘Mediapages’ van de Water, Bert Alting, Hans Marijs, Wolf Diether Roth, Ingo and Margot Paternoster, Ben and Iuliana from Antwerp Bode (Paradijs and Caroline Dutch 1979/1980), François Lhote (OEM France), Roger Stafford in Australia, Arik Lev, Svetlana and Jos Leijgraaff, Gijs and Natasha van den Heuvel (Radio Netherlands), Marc Torringa, son of the late Krijn, Bill still going strong Rollins (Tower Radio and much more), John Piek, Marcle MRF, Tim Chase, Jean Luc Bostyn Radiovsie.eu, Free Radio Service Holland, Larry ‘the keater with the heater’ Tremaine, Marc Jacobs (Mi Amigo and Caroline and…) Naud Nelissen, Svenn Martinsen, Christian Bergmann, Jan Paul Kramer Medianet, Jelle Boonstra and family jingeling on, Colin Lamb, Marnix Hoedt, Rob, der op of deronder, Ronder, Maria and Alex Depuydt from Belgium, Pierre Cleassens, Henk de Boer landbased near Dokkum, Rene van Abeelen, Jan Broekema, Steve Szmidt, Rene Sweers, Walter and Mirjam ‘Simons Monique’, Georges Cany, Look Boden (227), Ton Schipper (Mi Amigo), South of France sunny Leen and Marjo Vingerling, Tom de Munck aka John Wendale, Chris Dannatt, Dave Burke, Jon Myers, ABCD family, Alex Bervoets, Sander Lindenburg, Noam Tal in Tel Aviv, Orly Marog Jerusalem, Thomas Voelkner RadioJournal, Bert Bossink and Bep Strik ‘Mr Sixties Man’, Shaun and Carrie Brennan after years back in Harwich, Henk Kruize and Leonie (lucky man!), Wolfram Bender, Liz Poole, Anne Korevaar, Peter Agate, Tom Mulder aka Klaas Vaak Veronica, Gilbert Jonckierre d’Armentiéres en France, Chris Cary, Willem de Bruyn, Chris Visser and the guys at the Download Group and Nick Barnes.
Of course it were all wonderful wishes but I must admit I choose the one from Jaap van Duijn as the one which hit the top for 2006. This with the thought we had to say goodbye to the former REM island last year as, after 42 years, it was taken from International Waters and no more memories of Noordwijk have been left. 
But when Jaap went to the platform on a sailing trip in 1971 with some friends, they made an illegal entrance to the former REM platform and found the following document, which was from the 9th of December, just a week before the final transmissions took place.Last issue also brought a memory which suddenly came up when Johnny Jason wrote in. I asked him if he remembers that he went for a job in the USA and either he or Andy phoned to Groningen from the Caroline office in The Hague asking me if I had a proper on air recording to use as a demo tape, which I had. Remember it was more than 32 years ago. Andy reflected on the day the bumper edition of the Knot International Radio Report appeared with: ‘Thanks for the Report - fascinating as usual. It was J.J. who telephoned you for an air check tape. In spring 1974 he went to the USA hoping to get a job there. In a way I was glad he didn't get one! I remember when he came back, Everyone on the ship was so delighted that he had returned. J.J. was always on an upper and without question, the most popular member of the team, we had all missed him. I was happy to read that he is still wining and dining in all the best places!’.
Already on page three of this edition and no words from the Emperor, who again lost the game to be the first. I think he must be sleeping in front of his computer screen. Well here he is from sunny California, the main man Rosko:
‘Hi from Los Angeles, Fabulous report Hans as always! Every month a new skill comes out of my past to say. Hi! Soul King of Yorkshire DJ Chris Dannot last month! How do you do it! As it is a new year I will keep it extremely short for this month.
It’s Graeme Stevenson from Scotland who attended me on a very interesting site regarding the history of German Radio. He wrote: ‘Hi folks, my friend Bernard Wichert in Germany has an interesting webpage (in English) about archive radio recordings. Thought it might be of some use to you. Best link to try is: www.suizidal.de.
In Montgonery Village, Maryland USA my reader Rene Burcksen is living together with his wife Dennise and daughter Chelsea. He originally comes from Holland and wrote: ‘I just finished reading your radio report. The December 2 issue this time. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, I just wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed all of your reports this year. It has been a challenging year for me on all different levels. Reading your reports while at the same time listening to some old recording from the stations I grew up with in the sixties and seventies always makes for a nice distraction! I hope you will keep sending these Radio reports in 2007. This holiday season, I'll anticipate listening to the Top 2000. (Dutch Radio 2 that is). Radio 2 is really one of the stations I am listening to a lot these days. Favorite program would be "Het Theater van het Sentiment" . I guess I am getting old(er). Other then that, I listen to Radio Mi-Amigo 192, which is planning some nice programming for x-mas. Also Radio London (in the weekends) and of course Radio Caroline are stored in my player. Radio in the United States seems to be getting more boring by the month. I hope Santa will leave me the XM satellite radio receiver under the tree. A station which can truly say "From coast to coast". Happy Holidays to you and your family, Rene Burcksen.’
Isn’t it wonderful top read this from a Dutchman already decades living in the USA listening there to Dutch Radio. Must be a good thing for my readers who are working there on Radio 2. By the way, I’ve advised Rene also to have a listen to Dutch Radio 5 during daytime hours on weekdays (7-18 CET). During the past months I’ve heard music I’ vent heard since decades: www.omroep.nl and then choose Radio 5.
Mail from Colin Lamb with a bit of better news regarding Phil Mitchel: ‘Hope you are well and enjoying life. I saw Phil Mitchell earlier this week. Two years on from his stroke, he is still making slow but steady progress. He understands perfectly everything that you say, but has only very limited speech and still hasn't regained the use of his left arm/leg. He is beginning to be able to read a few basic words and has even tried a few goes on his PC, with limited success.
He is though in remarkably good spirits. With very best regards, Colin Lamb.’
Thanks Colin for the update and yes we missed him too on the reunion for former VOP people in November. Give him my best regards.
Chris Edwards from Hanwell has also good news: ‘We've now updated the Offshore radio themes pages at: www.offshoreechos.com/offshorethemes/ with some new pages on the 1st & Last records played on the offshore stations, plus more themes and audio clips have been added. Have also added record label, catalogue numbers and release dates where we've been able to find them. Terry Hounsomes RockRom CD database has proved invaluable here. If anyone can provide missing release details or audio, or have any comments or anything to add, please let me know.
Have a very happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year Chris Edwards, Offshore Echo's. Chris can be reached at: Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken.
Well long time not heard from Larry Tremaine. I think it was March 2006 we just missed seeing each other in London. Larry still doing well in sunny California:
‘Hans, It's Larry Tremaine (Steinman) from Beverly Hills Ca. 90210....Happy and healthy Hanukah and New Year to all the greatest of all greats, you the entire teen population of every nation. You see Larry cannot get off the air.......... so much do I love to read your great reports and keeping the fire burning. Rosco is within 20 miles and we don't see each other. Rosco, call me 310 274-5600, yes we still have the Carol Lawrence Galleries around California. Still keep in touch with Robb Eden, Mark Wesley, Andy (still must call him "The Dancer") Archer, Roger Day (who I am very happy for) life is all about timing and I am glad you are doing great. And what happened to Stevie Merikke, did he fall off the face of the earth, Alan West still going strong when we last spoke and Duncan Johnson (always a gentleman) good to hear he is well and Spangles, what can I say except hope you are doing well, he was for sure the wildest Englishman I ever met and taught me about ‘redies’ (money)..... "Larry, get your redies out I have a plan!." And please give a call to the Captain Harteveld and let him know that I wish him a great recovery as we all do.
Reading your report I am reminded that 2007 I too will be singing "Will you still need me will you still feed me cause I'll be 64! 40 years ago I was so excited about pirate radio and Hans, you are keeping it real for so many of us bald guys that used to rock the tall time and power tower clock on the airwaves. Please have the guys send me emails and let me know how everyone is. PS, I am healthy, have a girlfriend (my wife of 40 years (Caroline) and I have parted ways and hope both of us are Happy as Larry. We still do a great art gallery business so if you need a Chagall, Give me a call. or email Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken. love to hear from everyone. Send me a postcard, drop me a line stating point of view..... now where have we heard that before. Lot's of Love to all our great gang and hope to see everyone at the next reunion. Thank you, Larry Tremaine.’
Well long story Larry with a lot of info and wishes. Hope your life may be enjoyable too for this 2007 and the years to come and before I forget congratulations with your birthday. Lovely to see mentioning all those names from former colleagues from RNI days. Must be nice to know they’re all readers, except for one, from the Knot International Radio Report. The one who isn’t a reader is Alan West as he is somewhere under custody in a not so pretty jail. And I can say for 100% it is not for joy riding.
Ron from Holland is telling us that his son has done some marvellous work updating and refreshing his memories pages about Radio Veronica. Well let’s all have a look at: www.ronneke.nl/radio_veronica/radio_veronica.htm
One of the more ‘sad offshore photographs’ Veronica’s Norderney on travel in 2000. (Archive: Antoni Barten)
At the end of the month I will be visiting southern England and meeting a lot of people. one of them I will see in Highgate, when we both visiting Peter Moore. I’m talking about Bob Lawrence. He sent us a memory to share: ‘ My most embarrassing moment was on my first full day on the MV Mi Amigo. I went into the studio with Marc Jacobs and everybody else for Baken 16. You might remember a record called ‘Arabian Affair’ by The Abdul Hassan Orchestra? Mi Amigo played it a lot and I think Marc even made a special vocal version too. Anyway, Marc played the song and said something in Dutch and looked at me .... I had no idea what he said but I tried to be funny by saying on air "I think my mum had one once". Everybody in the studio laughed and I had no idea why. Marc then explained that he had said something like "Buzby is in the studio with us, you know you look like an Arabian Affair." To which my reply must have sounded hilarious. Anyway Hans, look forward to meeting you at the end of January.Regards, Bob Lawrence’
Now time for several updates on sites from radio friends, first one to mention is Paul Jan de Haan who suddenly found a former Radio Atlanta deejay from 1964 on the internet. Johnny Jackson was 17 years of age at the time he made his first steps onboard the MV Mi Amigo. For the full story go to the weblog of Paul de Haan at: http://pauldehaan.web-log.nl
I can mention you that Paul has arranged that Johnny Jackson will sent the archive Atlanta material, which Johnny kept for all this years, to the postal address of yours truly so we can all enjoy some of the stuff soon.
Then more about the tribute site for Radio Mi Amigo, run by Theo van Halsema. He as added some new chapters to his site, mainly articles and photos published by several journalist after they made a visit to the Mi Amigo on land studios, then in the seventies in Spanish Playa de Aro, http://www.Theovanhalsema.com
The monthly mentioning of Bob LeRoi follows: ‘Trust you had an enjoyable Christmas & welcome to the 1st Update of 2007. In this months ‘Scrapbook’ it's the concluding part of the Radio Sovereign International story as told by station owner John Kenning. With many never before published pictures both of Radio Sovereign and it's competitor Radio Nova (Italy) it's a great look, listen & read
‘One Subject one Link’ takes a swipe at the Music Industry in Money for Nothing as they attempt to get revenue for music from your ISP, so everybody could end up paying even if they never download music! Available to buy on-line. First orders delivered for the long awaited Radio City 299 T Shirt, produced to commemorate the stations close 40 years ago & the Marine Etc Broadcasting Offenses Act & for the enthusiasts version of the Radio Essex Documentary CD which is now complete & dispatched. Finally the A-Z of Pop & Rock Music arrives at the letter (K) with more records & CD's to buy at sensible prices. Enjoy your visits & Happy New Year. www.bobleroi.co.uk
Then some space for the man behind the Pirate Hall of Fame: ‘Rather than seeing in the New Year hunched over my computer, I have updated the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame a bit earlier than usual. What's new this month? Station BBMS, the former Radio Essex, closed down at Christmas 1966. In December 2006, forty years on, a group of former staff members gathered to mark the anniversary of this sad occasion. We have the photos; we hear from one of the first voices to be heard on England's second offshore station, Radio Atlanta's Johnny Jackson; and, as the rest of the world enters 2007, The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame proudly moves into the nineteen-seventies! Up until now we have concentrated on the first decade of British offshore radio. This month we launch the 'Seventies Supplement' to cover the next ten years. The first page of the supplement, listing the DJs whose names begin with A, is online now and more will be added over the coming months. www.offshoreradio.co.uk
For our German readers the long serie (15 episodes) edited by me regarding the History of RNI can be found in German now on www.radiojournal.de
As mentioned, at the start of this newsletter, hundreds of wishes came in and here is another one which I would like to put in the report completely. It came in from reader Willem de Bruyn who wrote: ‘Hello Hans and thanks for sending all those marvellous reports during the last year again. In the last two issues you mentioned John Dwyer. Yes, 20 odd years ago and really when he was on the Ross Revenge and Caroline he succeeded getting a real contact with the listeners. John has done a few period on board for the station. Also you wrote some nice words about memories to JJ, aka Jay Jackson. His real name, so I think, was Rudiger von Etsdorf. Really 1974 was for me the top year as we talk about Radio Caroline. In spring 1976, so I remember, he did another stint on the MV Mi Amigo. In those days there were also daytime programs for Caroline. He used to play a lot the Fleedwood Mac song ‘Landslide’. I always listened to him too a lot with listening pleasure. Hans, you’re our Ambassador, and I have enjoyed through the years a lot of all the writings about offshore radio. It’s maybe youth sentiment, a bit gone by, but never a thing of the past. You keep many contacts with people who worked on the several stations and relive the memories with us the readers!. Of course a lot of thank you!’
Oké Willem I hope to go on within the years to come to not only enjoy the common readers but also the many former deejays who worked in Offshore Radio.
Remember Stephen Bishop, better known as Johnny Lewis. Well he has uploaded many photographs from his periods on board the MV Mi Amigo in 1977-1980. Thanks Johnny with many memories.http://www.roundsandsounds.co.uk/radio/Mi%20Amigo%202.htm
Stephen Bishop (his personal archive)
Another interesting site for people who know the Dutch language is about the music industry in Belgium whereby Sylvain Tack, once owner of Radio Mi Amigo, played also an important role.
www.andaluciapersonal.com/pers30.htm
http://www.radiolondon.co.uk/kneesflashes/happenings/janfebmarch07/janfebmar01.html#news
Above the internet address for the latest update on Radio London site. This includes the interview Tom Mulder once had, way back in 1977, with the late Paul Kaye. I advice you to have a relaxing chair and go and have a listening! I found in my archive an old photograph showing that Tom Mulder was and is also an avid train and tram lover, like many radio people.Tom Mulder on a train about 1972
Exchanging again some e mails with Tom some nice memories came above when sharing our subject ‘Radio London’. Tom recalled to me that it was in village of ‘Huizen’ interviews were made with Dutch guys, who had written in to get a job as deejay on the proposed Dutch Service. He even made a demo tape there. A pity the Dutch service of Radio London wasn’t on the air. It would take three more years to get Tom Mulder (Klaas Vaak) on the radio, way back in May 1969. Another memory from Tom takes us back to the spring of 1967. At home he had made a special promo for the Dutch listeners and sent in to Curzon Street’s office. Some weeks later he awoke hearing himself back on ‘266’ and even falling out of his bed. And it would be repeated a few times too. And now on the Big L site from Chris and Mary his interview with the late Paul Kaye! Really good to be pride.
I got an e mail from Harald Urbig in Germany who wrote: ‘First of all a Happy New Year and all the best to you in 2007. It’s always a great pleasure reading your radio report. Yesterday I listened to Roger Day on BBC Kent. In his program there was a telephone call with Stevie Gordon, the last man heard from the Mi Amigo before she sunk. Stevie tells some details from his memories of this special day and as he called his ‘his ten minutes which made him world famous’.
Thanks Harald and also for sending the sound file to me. Stevie indeed was the last voice to be heard on Radio Caroline from the MV Mi Amigo, way back in March 1980, just before the ship sunk. Nowadays Stevie is living in Norway. Roger, as mentioned in last report, has decided to work for Auntie BBC after 40 years in radio.
It would be nice to see that you and specially you would like to read again how to order the book about the Voice of Peace, which was released way back early November last year. My publisher promised me to sent away the book as soon as your money arrives. Here are the details:
VOICE OF PEACE MEMORIES AND ABIE NATHAN’S WORK
HANS KNOT (Editor)
During the past year a lot of work has been down to research not only the history of the Voice of Peace but also the various humanitarian jobs Abe Nathan has done through the past 4 decades. With assistance from people next to Abe, deejays and staff of the station in the past, Hans Knot has succeeded in writing a 250 pages book. In the book are many exclusive photographs, but as there were hundreds of photos sent in by many people, a ‘photo cd’ will be included. The book, which will be officially presented at the Annual Radio Day in Amsterdam on November 2006. The book can now be ordered from the publisher. The price for people in the Netherlands will be 30 Euro, including postage and packing. For people outside the Netherlands the price will be 33 Euro or 25 British Pounds. You can sent in your money by sending it in an envelope to SMC, PO Box 53121 1007 RC Amsterdam. Also you can pay your money to Giro account 4065700 on the name of Mediacommunicatie Amsterdam. Don’t forget to mention IBAN number: NL 37 PSTB 0004 0657 00 BIC: PSTBNL21 . This to avoid high costs. 
Talking about books, just before starting the holiday period, a beautiful book was sent to me by the publisher Artdata. A short view into the book learnt me that we had to take the publication with us to our holiday place; to have a better reading and above all ‘looking’. The book called ‘Seafort’, by Stephen Turner, tells the story in words and pictures in a diary about a weeks long stay from artist Turner on the Searchlight Tower, one of the towers from Shivering Sands. As known the fort was not only used during World War II and the years afterwards by the British Army, but also by radio stations Sutch and City. During the past decades the Thames Estuary, where the forts are situated, Turner has frequently visit this area for artwork. This time his aim was to live for a longer period (five weeks) on the fort to make pictures from there into the Estuary. But is became more an inside look into the mentioned Tower with wonderful stories as well as immense beautiful pictures of what he found on the tower on subjects to be photographed. Parts of equipment left from the war period, wonderful shots taken trough small holes in the walls of the fort, dead birds next to living plants, requests for a Sinatra ‘Boots for walking’ song and much more. 
I always had a fascinating admiration for the people, who have lived and worked on the forts. Most of them have lived there for longer periods but were there with more people at the same time. Stephen Turner was taken onto the fort and left alone, only to have radio contact once a day. To be totally on your self gives a person the possibility to super reflect and rethink human live and the result is a most beautiful book with very interesting daily ‘reports’ as well as several gracious photographs, which is not only for the art collector a must on the bookshelf, but also for the offshore radio listener, who listened in the sixties to those stations. Next to Turner’s diary and photographs Seafort brings a transcript of a conservation Turner had with Rachel Lichtenstein but also an interesting story ‘Boulevard Solitude’ by Ian Hunt. In the book also in depth the reader is taken back to the history of the fort. During World War 2 period there was no radio connection at all. The communication was done by telephone with ‘on land’, this connected by ‘miles long cable’. Interesting are also the shots taken from the webcam, how the author and art maker lived in a tent on the tower during the five weeks in August and September last year. Stephen Turner’s Seafort counts 96 pages and 70 illustration in colour. Catalogue number is 14705 available at 12.95 Pounds at www.artdata.co.uk
The book is published by the Seafort Project www.seafort.org. There is more to find on the author/ artist and his work.
Some 100 of my readers were selected to get a special New Years gift by getting the change to download some very special air checks from radio stations in the sixties. All American and Canadian recordings. John Ross Barnard has a very interesting opinion after listening to some of the downloads: ‘Dear Hans
What a remarkable newscast on the Chicago and the Regina stations! The 1968 parallels with today are astonishing:
Then: Lindon B Johnson erects electric fence in Saigon - it didn't work
Today: Bush erects fence to keep the Mexicans out - it isn't working
Then : students distribute leaflets with the cry "Hey, Hey LBJ how many children have you killed today
Now: Hey, Hey GWB how many kids have you killed this year
Then: LBJ proposes increased troops into Vietnam
Today: Bush proposes 30,000 new troops into Iraq
Canada's radio news highlighted
Then: The Arabs meet in conference to fight the threat of Israeli incursion into Arab lands and the Israeli nuclear threat
Now: The Arab nations meet today to consider Iran's nuclear ambitions
Then: Kim Philby identified as a Russian spy against the UK
Today: British Army interpreter in custody accused of spying for Iran
Then: Britain Radio using PAMS "Hallmark of Quality" jingles
Today: Saga Radio UK using the same package ...
As the prophet said" Everything changes but nothing really alters." Depressining!
John Ross-Barnard.’
Buster Pearson (Photo Theo Dencker)
It sounds like a giant step back in the time when I decide to take you to the month of January 1977 with some ‘Monitor Memories’. The Second Wednesday in January 1977 was an atrabilious day for Dutch Justice as well as for the late Samantha Dubois (Ellen Kraal) from Radio Caroline. She was asked to tell her own story of what happened when she was summonsed to appear before the Magistrates accused of broadcasting on Radio Caroline. So here once again in here own words, is the account of her experiences: ‘I went to the court on the 12th of January in Amsterdam. I didn’t have a lawyer because it’s to expensive to pay. There were three witnesses in the court to testify against me: ex crewmen Guenther the Cook, Derek the generator engineer and Jan, the sailor. The Dutch Court is really Micky Mouse. I am very ashamed of being of Dutch Nationality. Why do I say that? Well, firstly there wasn’t a jury. I pleaded not guilty. So the court called on of the witnesses, in that case it was Jan the sailor. The court asked him if he recognised me as being Samantha, alias Ellen Kraal broadcasting illegally on board the ship called the MV Mi Amigo. Well, much to my surprise Jan denied everything. He said that he never knew me. If that had happened in a British court the second witness would be called up. But the Dutch wankers just warned Jan that he was committing perjury and he could get up to six months imprisonment for going back on his word. I was found guilty and giving three weeks suspended sentence plus 200 pounds fine. The three week suspended sentence is for 2 years. So if I get caught within 2 years I go to jail for 3 weeks. Actually I’m going back to the ship. I haven’t paid the fine, and I’m not planning to either which means 40 days imprisonment. The only reason why I was taken to court is because of the three above mentioned people signing a statement under oath that they were with me on the ship and saw me broadcasting in English.’ Samantha 1977
Samantha had certainly the courage of her conviction in those days. The late Buster Pearson wrote in 1977: ‘Perhaps if there was more of here buccaneering spirit around the outlook for offshore radio would be a brighter one.’ Sadly neither Buster Pearson nor Samantha are no longer with us. During the last two Radio Days spontaneity comes around when one or more of the guests are mentioning the names of the people who are no longer with us, the names of Samantha and Buster Pearson should be there too the next time! Another interesting site to be mentioned tells us the story about 100 years in radio, a site mentioned in an e mail sent in by ‘JFK’
http://www.californiahistoricalradio.com/100years.html
Filip van der Molle from Belgium wrote in with a question regarding the former RNI radioship MEBO II: ‘RadioVisie is working on a daily item in Dutch in which we are reconstructing the highlights of the offshore radio history. one great question about RNI is still remaining. on the 14th of august 1978 Robin Banks and Black Printz brought the final (illegal) transmission at 5.00am after the daily Koran broadcasting. After this event the Libyan Authorities decided to bomb the MEBO II. Can you find the exact date on which the soldiers used both ships as a target while exercising? I would be very thankful if you can help me. Sincerely yours, Filip.’
Well Filip, as far as known the crewmembers got the order from the Lybian authorities to stop the temporary broadcasts as the maintenance at the transmitter site in the country was ready. I know Robin was still there. Next the transmitters used by RNI and Veronica (which had been bought used before leaving Holland in 1977) were taken off the radio ship. They were also rebuilt in the official transmitter sites of Libya and I know that up till some years ago two of these were still in working order. The radioship MEBO II and the sister ship MEBO I have been for a longer period in the harbour of Tripoli. A telex sent to me in 1986 by Meister and Bollier, the former owners of the ship, just when I was finishing my book on the history of RNI, told that the bombing of the ships took place somewhere in 1981. This had be done to pretend the ships would fall in hands of an enemy.
Now back to court: There were more justice happenings in January 1977 as on the 27th a large crowd got together outside the Magistrates Court in Southend on Sea in Essex. once again let’s see what Monitor Magazine editor Buster Pearson told about the get together: ‘They were free radio supporters who had arrived from all parts of the country to peacefully protest at the way the Home Office wasted public money and Police time by harassing harmless folk whose ‘crime’ is apparently treating persons on board the radio ship Mi Amigo as fellow human beings.’
What had happened on forehand in August 1976, was the work of a detective constable from the Police Headquarters Drugs Intelligence Section. His name was Gary Skull. He played a fool at everybody as he intended to go out to the radio ship Mi Amigo pretending he was an anorak like you and me still are in 2007. He talked with all the other people on the tender and told them he was a free radio fan with the name ‘Simon Martin’. Oh man, what a mean man he was as he was testifying to his superiors – after coming back at the office – that he had seen the organiser of the trip handing over newspapers and mail over to the guys on the radio ship Mi Amigo. The organiser was Dave Hutson and the fake Anorak mentioned also that Dave was wearing a Caroline badge, which of course was promoting the station. This of course was forbidden by the 1967 Marine Offences Act. So Dave was ordered for court and on January 27th 1977 and with him the owner of the ship, which went out to the Mi Amigo, appeared in Southend on Sea It was Arthur Ord, and old age pensioner and ex commando. Like the earlier case with Samantha neither one of those two felt they could afford a lawyer, as the fees for that were to high. Both pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charges laid against them. The next is what the newspaper ‘Standard Recorder’ had to say about the court case some days later (February 4th 1977):
‘Pirate Radio Supporter David Hutson was determined to keep Radio Caroline afloat. Not only did he supply the outlawed station’s disc-jockeys with letters and newspapers but he organised boat trips to the MV Mi Amigo and even published an advertisement in the form of a Radio Caroline badge. These were purchased by the passengers on a trip to the vessel. But Hutson, 27, a storeman of Sandon Road, Vange, got into deep water with this hobby, for his actions contravened the Marine etc Broadcasting Offences Act. And at the Southend Court he was find a total of 125 Pound with 20 Pound costs. Boat owner Walter Ord, 68, of Brightlingsea, was find a total of 125 Pounds with 20 Pound costs, also for supplying newspapers and letters to the ship. He had a former conviction for taking a passenger of the radio ship. The fines were met with gasps and groans from the public gallery, were Free Radio Supporters had gathered.’
Nice to see a small article appeared in a local newspaper, probably a weekly, days after the court case, almost 30 years ago from today. on the court case a certain Mr Orlando Pownall, appearing for Hutson, told the people in court it would become time that Independent Radio would become legal. Well there were already independent radio stations on land in Britain since 1973 with LBC as the ‘numero uno’! Another negative speaker at the court was Miss Jeraine Roberts, for the director of Public Prosecutions, as she told the court that following an advertisement for boat trips to view the MV Mi Amigo, Gary Skull posed as a passenger aboard Ord’s trawler. She said each of the 12 passengers bought a 15 pence Radio Caroline badge, offered by Hutson. Alongside the Mi Amigo Hutson threw aboard passenger’s requests for records, plus their newspapers and letters for those onboard. Of course the Police had to come in force and at the court case the attendees learnt that the Home Office officials boarded, in cooperation with the police Ord’s trawler. Hutson’s comment afterwards was good for a laugh way back in 1977 but also 30 years on: ‘You can do burglary and get less. I don’t see what we have done wrong’.
Well think about the time and money put into this court case, the money they were making out of the prosecutions, compared to the ‘super de luxe’ reception murderers and other criminals are getting then and now!
Oeds Jan Koster from the Netherlands is searching already ages for the original jingle, which was used in another form in the Netherlands in the seventies:
‘Way back in the seventies presenter Wim Noordhoek on Hilversum 3 had a program called VPRO vriidagavond show. In the show he used a jingle which I believe comes from American origin. Noordhoek had 'customized' the jingle for his program. I’m searching for the original American jingle for many years now. I tried to locate it with the help of Wim Noordhoek himself, but unfortunately that did not work out yet. So I hope one of the readers of this monthly can help me out. You can hear the customized jingle, as used in the VPRO vrijdagavond show by clicking on the following link:
http://www.oedstones.com/o%20j's%20jinglebook.htm
You'll find the jingle I’m talking about at the bottom of the page. Thanks for your help in advance! Oeds Jan Koster.’
Hope someone can help him and Oeds can be reached at: Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken.
On January 10th I gave a 27 minutes long interview to a radiostation in Sydney Australia. They had found out that I had written the book ‘The Dream of Sealand’, way back in 1988 and wanted to talk about the history of the Principality of Sealand’. This as the family Bates once again thought it was time for some publicity and put their Sealand for sale. Lowest bid must be 66 Million Pounds. So the dream goes on.
Talking about Australia, the next e mail came from there and it’s Roger Stafford who wrote: ‘Hans I did look on your web site today and I saw the note that Chrispian St. John had passed away, a total shock. He was a shady, but nice bloke. I met him many time in the RNI days. He had in those days a girlfriend who lived in the district Norfolk and David Caine and Chris Cortez and me visited him on a few occasions for a year or so. The last time I saw him was in Southend, many years ago in the court house at Southend magistrates when Johnny Jason and one other, I can’t remember the names, where up on charges not under the MOA. Not a good day for free radio, but I did get to meet Mike Knight, former Radio Jackie and a few of the Radio Free London guys, who would remain friends for many years. Both Chris and Dave where there. I’ll never forget that and the day spent at the RNI Rally in Hyde park with the Koleidescope guys. (those where the days). But Hans, time passes by and the older we all get the faster they go. but all said and done: where would radio and in fact music be now for our kids if it where not for the few. You have no idea of the pleasure that your news letter brings every month. So many thanks again for your great effort and for the memories.P.S: who was he in court with: we did buy him dinner and a real ale
All the best, my son William is reading this as I type and asked what’s Free Radio?’
Andy Anderson interviews Johnny Jason (photo: Karel Gerbers)
Thanks Roger, Well, indeed Howard Rose passed away a couple of years ago, which is still a great loss for his relatives and many people in the radio world in Europe. Of course, after the period with RNI we heard him on a lot of stations, including Atlantis, Caroline and the Voice of Peace, not forgetting ILR. As far as Johnny Jason and the court case I can mention you that it took place on April 26th 1976. A lot of people were there, including the grey fox himself, Ronan O’Rahilly, and Mary Warner. one of the former Atlantis deejays, Andy Anderson, was also there to interview Johnny for LBC. London Broadcasting Radio. As you’ve seen in this edition I highlighted two court cases and someday also the one with JJ will be in the report. After the court case: Mary Turner and Ronan O’Rahilly.
That’s all for this time. I hope to get again your contribution to the report with memories, photo’s and questions to be answered. All can be sent to Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken. and the photos to Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken.